Business

Macleans Toothpaste: From 1919 British Innovation to a Nigerian Household Name

Published

1 month ago

September 13, 2025

Macleans toothpaste stands as one of the early global brands that helped transform oral hygiene from a luxury to an everyday practice. First introduced in Britain in 1919 by Macleans Ltd., the brand quickly became a pioneer of modern toothpaste marketing and packaging—well before oral care became a staple of households worldwide.

Origins and Early Development in Britain

The early 20th century was a turning point in personal hygiene, as toothpaste shifted from a powdered luxury to a convenient daily necessity. Macleans Ltd. capitalized on this trend by offering toothpaste in collapsible metal tubes, a modern packaging innovation that kept the product hygienic and easy to use.

Unlike traditional tooth powders, Macleans marketed its paste as a symbol of freshness, health, and modern living, themes that resonated in post–First World War Britain when consumer culture and middle-class aspirations were expanding. While company archives confirm the brand name derived from its founders, the detailed biography of the original “Maclean” behind the firm is not well documented.

Integration into Beecham and Global Expansion

Macleans’ early success attracted the attention of Beecham, one of the United Kingdom’s major pharmaceutical and consumer goods firms. By the mid-20th century, Beecham had acquired the brand, scaling up production and enabling distribution throughout the British Commonwealth, including Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Corporate mergers later carried the brand through several major pharmaceutical giants:

1989: Beecham merged with SmithKline Beckman to form SmithKline Beecham.

2000: SmithKline Beecham merged with Glaxo Wellcome to form GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

2022: GSK demerged its consumer healthcare division into Haleon Plc, which today manages the

Macleans brand. Arrival and Popularity in Nigeria

By the early 1970s, Macleans toothpaste had become a household name in Nigeria, coinciding with the country’s post-independence economic boom and rising urban middle class. Print and outdoor advertising promoted not only oral health but also aspiration and modern success.

A striking example is an April 1973 outdoor advertisement in Kano, which boldly declared:
> “Be Successful Be Important Use Macleans Toothpaste.”

This slogan captured the era’s consumer culture, when imported brands symbolized sophistication and social mobility. Macleans’ strategy of linking dental care with upward status resonated strongly in Nigeria’s expanding cities.

Competition and Market Dynamics

Macleans maintained dominance for decades even as rivals entered the market. In the 1970s, Close-Up (Unilever) launched as a gel toothpaste with youth-oriented marketing, while Aquafresh (another GSK brand) later offered a triple-strip formula. Yet Macleans retained its reputation for reliability and quality, becoming a staple of Nigerian households and a trusted name across generations.

Enduring Legacy

More than a century after its British debut, Macleans remains a key player in Nigeria’s oral care industry and across the world. Its journey—from an innovative 1919 British toothpaste to a multinational brand under Haleon—illustrates the evolution of modern consumer goods and the power of early 20th-century marketing to create products that become daily essentials.

Sources
Nigerian newspaper archives, Daily Times and New Nigerian, April 1973 (advertising features)

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Business

Dangote Set To Become World’s Largest Refinery As It Increases Capacity

Published

9 hours ago

October 26, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Dangote Refinery has announced it will increase production from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.

It was reports that the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, made this known during a press conference in Lagos on Sunday.

Dangote said the move reflects confidence in Nigeria’s future and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of making the country a global supplier of refined petroleum products.

According to him, upon completion, the expansion will make the facility the world’s largest refinery, surpassing the Jamnagar Refinery in India.

He said, “We are more than doubling the barrels… to 1.4 million from 650,000.

“This will make it the largest refinery” in the world, surpassing India’s Jamnagar Refinery.

“This expansion is about confidence in Nigeria, in Africa, and in our capacity to shape our own energy future.”

Dangote also commended the Federal Government for its support and for implementing policies that have spurred industrial growth, including the Nigeria First Policy, the Naira-for-Crude Policy, and the One-Stop Shop Initiative.

He said these policies have revolutionised the downstream sector and encouraged private investment in local refining.

According to him, government mediation also helped resolve recent disruptions at the refinery, which were linked to union activities and sabotage attempts.

The business mogul revealed that the expansion project would create about 65,000 jobs during construction and open new opportunities for local industries.

In addition to refining crude oil, the project will boost polypropylene production from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes per annum, alongside the production of base oils and linear alkylbenzene, a key ingredient for detergents.

While addressing concerns over potential fuel shortages during the year-end festive period, Dangote assured Nigerians of an uninterrupted petrol supply despite recent fluctuations in global oil prices.

He said the refinery was fully prepared to maintain consistent product flow and stable prices throughout the festive season.

He added, “For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a festive season free of fuel anxiety.”

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Business

Price Of Rice Reduces In Market

Published

9 hours ago

October 26, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The price of rice has dropped significantly across major markets in Lagos, following increased imports and improved local harvests, easing pressure on consumers but leaving traders worried about losses.

Checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that a 50kg bag of rice now sells for between ₦55,000 and ₦70,000, depending on the brand and location.

At markets such as Oyingbo, Arena (Oshodi), FESTAC Town, and Mile 12, local rice that sold for around ₦85,000 in January now goes for between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000, while foreign brands have dropped from ₦95,000 to between ₦65,000 and ₦75,000.

Some traders lamented that while consumers are rejoicing, sellers are counting huge losses.

At the Arena Market, Mrs Precious Okoro, a rice dealer, said she had been forced to sell at below her purchase price.

“We are selling at a loss. I bought several bags at ₦80,000 and ₦85,000 early this year, and now I have to sell them for as low as ₦65,000. The fall came suddenly, and it’s been tough for us,” she said.

“The government needs to provide incentives for local farmers to increase production and improve the infrastructure for storage and distribution. This will help to reduce the cost of production and make rice more affordable for consumers,” Okoro said.

At the FESTAC Town Market, Mrs Edith Nwaruh listed current prices: Pretty Lady (₦57,000), Mama Africa (₦62,000), Mama Gold (₦67,000), and Big Bull Premium (₦73,000).

Farmers Blame Border Reopening

A rice farmer who spoke anonymously linked the crash to the reopening of land borders, which has allowed the inflow of rice from neighbouring countries.

“The market is flooded with imported and locally produced rice. That’s why prices have dropped, but this may not last. By December, prices could rise again because supply is unstable,” he warned.

At the Mile 12 Market, trader Mr Odion Michael described the situation as a “double-edged sword.”

“Consumers are happy, but traders are weeping. We want prices to be stable, not jumping or falling suddenly. Price stability helps us to plan our business,” he said.

For many households, the drop could not have come at a better time.

Mrs Andriana Okoromaro, a consumer, said: “At least rice is affordable again. I used to buy a half bag because it was too expensive. Now, I can buy a full bag for the family. It’s a big relief.”

Another consumer, Mrs Oluwaseun Alade, expressed hope that prices would remain low during the festive season.

“Rice is essential during Christmas and New Year. This drop, if sustained, means more families can celebrate without worry,” she said.

However, Mrs Ngozi Okolie noted that lower demand was also affecting the market.

“People don’t have much money, even with lower prices. The economy is slow, so even when goods are cheap, sales are not what they used to be,” she added.

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Business

NNPC can increase stake in Dangote refinery — Aliko

Published

2 days ago

October 25, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has the opportunity to increase its 7.2 per cent stake in the Dangote refinery.

However, Dangote said this would happen after he must have proven to the state-owned company what the refinery can do.

Dangote stated this in a recent interview with S&P Global Commodity Insights.

“The door remains open for Nigerian National Petroleum Co. to boost its stake after the state oil company trimmed its interest to 7.2 per cent, but not before its next phase of growth is well underway.

“I want to demonstrate what this refinery can do, then we can sit down and talk,” Dangote was quoted as saying.

A close aide of Dangote was also reported to have said that the company would exert caution before inviting additional participation from NNPC.

Within the next year, he noted that the refining business will list 5–10 per cent of its shares on the Nigerian stock exchange.

“We don’t want to keep more than 65-70 per cent,” Dangote said, explaining that shares will be offered incrementally subject to investor appetite and market depth.

The NNPC had reduced its stake in the Dangote refinery from 20 per cent to 7.2 per cent.

The former spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed last year that the state-owned energy firm reduced its stake in the Dangote refinery to invest in compressed natural gas.

Soneye revealed that the NNPC capped its stake at 7.2 per cent instead of 20 per cent to build CNG stations across the nation.

He stated this while featuring on Berekete Family Radio, a video of which was sighted by our correspondent.

He mentioned that the NNPC realised that CNG was more affordable as a better energy alternative for Nigerians, especially during the period of energy transition.

He added that Nigerians could fuel their vehicles with N10,000 when using CNG, compared to petrol.

“The reason for reducing our stake in the Dangote refinery is because we wanted to invest in CNG. We observed that CNG is very cheap, and all over the world, people are investing in clean and cheaper alternative energy.

“That is why the NNPC is building different CNG stations everywhere. We understand that with N10,000, Nigerians can fill their cars and use it for two weeks. We realised that gas is cheaper in Nigeria; why don’t we invest in it?” the former NNPC spokesman said in August 2024.

The new Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, had recently told Argus Media that NNPC remains committed to increasing its stake in the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote refinery.

Many Nigerians were surprised to hear from Dangote in 2024 the the NNPC had trimmed its investment in the refinery to a paltry 7.2 per cent.

punch.ng

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